Seven stepping stones pave the path to building a billion-dollar
business--and you'd better put your foot on at least five of
them. That's the message of Blueprint to a Billion (Wiley, $27.95).
Consultant David G. Thomson scrutinized 250 companies that have
gone public since 1980 and reached $1 billion or more in sales and
found each had adhered to at least five of seven essential business
practices.

The principles include familiar advice such as exploit
high-growth markets, master key metrics and partner with someone
who balances your skills. More unusual essentials include allying
with big companies and seeking marquee customers. Examples, such as
how Microsoft rose to the top of Thomson's blueprint company
ranking by capitalizing on IBM's support of its PC operating
system, buttress his arguments.